CATA and PROVOCA announce call for applications for a mentoring program for students and postdocs

The initiative includes three sessions focused on developing mentoring and communication skills in STEM contexts, which will take place between August and October 2026.

The Center for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies – CATA (project funded by ANID), in collaboration with the AUI/NRAO PROVOCA initiative, will hold a special mentoring series for students and postdocs at the Center, with the goal of strengthening their skills in mentoring students and collaborating with colleagues in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) contexts.

The program consists of three one-hour sessions that will take place between August and October and are based on the work and lessons learned from PROVOCA. The series aims to provide an introduction to the basics of mentoring through a space for learning and active participation, complementing the participants’ prior knowledge and experiences in STEM mentoring.

Throughout the program, we will address various topics related to support and communication in STEM settings, as well as practice principles and tools that can be used in mentoring processes.

The initiative’s spokesperson will be Sonia Duffau, who holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy and works as a coach and corporate mentor. Duffau is involved in various projects aimed at building a more diverse, collaborative, and locally engaged scientific community, and she oversees AUI/NRAO’s outreach initiatives and mentoring programs in Chile.

In addition, its work focuses on bringing science to different communities across the country, fostering an interest in science at all educational levels. It also conducts skills workshops and motivational talks aimed at promoting and retaining interest in STEM fields, as well as supporting institutions in creating their own mentoring programs.

For Patricia Tissera, Director of CATA, this mentoring program represents “an opportunity for students and postdocs to acquire, strengthen, and put into practice tools that will be relevant throughout their professional careers. Through these sessions, we aim to help them share experiences, strengthen their communication skills, and develop new ways to support and collaborate with other members of the scientific community,” she said.

The first two sessions will be held remotely via Zoom and will be in Spanish. The first of these “Self-Esteem, Impostor Syndrome, and STEM Identity,” it will address issues related to the development of professional identity. The session will take place on Wednesday, August 26, at 2:00 p.m.

The second session, “Behavioral Profiles and Group Work,” will explore different communication styles, behavioral profiles, and their influence on workplace dynamics. It will take place on Friday, September 11, at 2:00 p.m.

Finally, the last session, titled “Storytelling and Elevator Pitch—360° Communication” It will be held in person in October during the 2026 CATA Annual Meeting and will be conducted in English; the date and time are to be confirmed. The session will focus on 360-degree communication, ranging from brief and effective formats—such as the professional elevator pitch—to techniques like storytelling.

Those interested may participate in one, two, or all three sessions. Registration will remain open until August 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. and must be completed exclusively through the CATA and PROVOCA mentoring registration form.

Link to the form: https://forms.gle/fSJ8AXTNFRHZMMZr5